Library to celebrate holidays with month of events
Both branches of the Saline County Library are holding events for all ages to help people celebrate the holiday season through the month of December.
Starting Dec. 1, both branches will have gift wrapping stations with all the supplies needed available.
“You can wrap your presents without your kids being there,” said Community Engagement Manager Kari Lapp.
The plan is to have the station available until the library closes for the holiday Dec. 22. Anytime a branch is open, the station will be available.
To get children excited for the holidays, there will be several Christmas themed story-times.
Dec. 6 Gingerbread Man Storytime will be at 10 a.m. for ages 2 to 5 at the Bryant Branch. There will be a photo booth set up for families to get a fun holiday picture.
Christmas Storytime will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 9 at the Benton branch and Winter Storytime at the branch will be at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 30.
Reindeer Storytime is scheduled for Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. at the Bryant Branch.
Holiday Storytime will be from 4 to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 and 15 at the Benton Farmer’s Market.
Lapp said the holiday themed story times will be extra fun for children.
Children, teens and tweens will be able to enjoy a drop in Bingo for Books from 3 to 5 p.m. Dec. 2 at the Bryant Branch. They plan to have wintry treats and chances to win books.
DIY Adventures - Book Ornaments will be from 6 to 7 Dec. 7 through the library’s Facebook Live. Attendees can pick up a kit at the library and follow along at home.
Starting at 6 p.m. Dec. 10, the library hold a Christmas Wreath Revamp at the Bryant branch. Lapp said this will be a way for adults to learn how to give life to used or old wreaths while making it unique.
Seats for this event are limited so registration is required at www. salinecountylibrary.org.
Children, tweens and teens can learn how to make their own ornaments during the Kids Ornament Making pop-in event. It will be available all day Dec. 10 at the Bryant branch.
The newest programmer at the library, Susie Sward, will be teaching attendees how to wrap gifts in beautiful and eco-friendly ways with Eco-friendly Gift Wrapping at 10 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Benton branch. She will be demonstrating and assisting. Attendees can practice on empty boxes or bring a special gift to wrap.
Techniques will include using brown paper bags, wired ribbon, twine and fabric.
Holiday Ornament DIY will take place all day Dec. 14 at the Benton branch in the Makerspace. There will be plenty of materials for patrons
to make their own ornament to take home. They ask only one ornament per patron to ensure there are plenty of supplies for everyone.
The library will have a pair of special guest for this month’s Table Talk. Santa and Grinchie will join Lapp from 8:30 to 9 p.m. Dec. 17 through Facebook Live.
Lapp said this will be an event for adults because
Santa will be sharing stories that might giveaway some of the magic.
“It is a time for us to laugh at all the things kids say,” Lapp said.
The Santa is the East End Santa and he will be telling funny and heartwarming stories. Grinchie also poses for photos with children.
Carpool Cinema will bring “Elf” to the Benton branch parking lot at 6 p.m. Dec. 18. There are a limited number of slots for people to watch from their vehicles. Registration is required. There also may be a special guest stop by the event.
Lapp said this event is more adult geared, adding it is not a cartoon.
This month’s SCL Trivia Night will focus on Christmas Movie Trivia starting at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 21 on Facebook Live.
The trivia winner will get a prize.
During the season, the library has two drives to help the community.
Through Dec. 6, the library is collecting nonperishable food items and hygiene items fro those in need. If they reach 1,000 items, Bryant Mayor Allen Scott will get a pie in the face.
The library is also collecting hats, scarves and gloves for its warm wishes trees. Each branch will have a tree outside the main entrance where those wishing to donate can leave items and those needing them can take them.
Both branches also have Angel Trees set up.
The library will also be making appearances in the community.
It will have a float in the Saline County Christmas Parade Dec. 6 starting at 6 p.m. in Benton and a booth at Santa’s Block Party from 3 to 7 p.m. Dec. 11 on Main Street in Bryant.
Many of the library’s regular events will also be Christmas themed.
The full list of events can be found at www.salinecountylibrary.org.
Lapp said the library is sad not have Santa making an appearance at the library this year, but he will be at locations around the community. She encourages patrons to check those out.
The Bob Herzfeld Memorial Library is located at 1800 Smithers Dr. in Benton. The Mabel Boswell Memorial Library is at 201 Prickett
Road in Bryant.